Victory Beautiful Eight:

 AJ: AJ, along with Zach Schreiber, is the inspiration for Victory Academy. His great cognitive gifts and his extreme motor challenges blend together to create an amazing, complex child--a child that is not well-served in public education. After years of intensive private therapy, we tried a handful of other schools (prior to founding Victory Academy), but they did not offer AJ an education that addressed his motor and communication difficulties while celebrating his writing, sweet demeanor, and affinity for music. All the other schools and their teachers, while well-intentioned, had no understanding of how to teach our sweet little guy and tap into his full potential. AJ simply spent the day amusing himself--alone in his own world--and NOT challenged. We love that Victory Academy is the absolute best solution for AJ and his peers. As an academic school, it pushes him to achieve. His teachers make certain that every moment is a learning opportunity. As a therapeutic school, Victory Academy approaches AJ’s challenges with expert understanding; they listen to the therapists and consider our ideas. We could not ask for more from his teachers and the consulting specialists. Every day, we see a difference. And most importantly, AJ is happy and gaining confidence in himself. He even has a strut in his walk!--Tricia and Bill Hasbrook (AJ’s Mom and Dad)

Domenic: After traveling to several places searching for the right school for Domenic, we felt that Victory Academy was the right choice, especially after meeting with the team and seeing Ashley play with our son. Domenic struggled in pre-school; he would have a difficult time staying at school the entire time, or we would receive a phone call from the school that Domenic wouldn't follow orders. Since Domenic has attended Victory Academy, he has never been happier. He is excited to go every morning on a regular basis. We have noticed that he is talking more and asking for things in a more proper way. Domenic really enjoys reading books now, and he always wants us to read to him. We couldn't be happier that Domenic is in a school he enjoys--Lourie and Daniel Tumino (Domenic’s Mom and Dad)

Ezra: Before Victory Academy, Ezra answered no questions, except a few yes/no ones. In the first two weeks, he learned to answer safety questions: What's you name? What is your mom's name? Where do you live? And from there, he has only picked up speed. He has always been a happy child, but his happiness is exponential now! Ezra just seems more comfortable in the world. He knows how to respond to people, what is expected of him, and what he needs to do to get his needs met. I love when I come to take him home to hear him say, "Bye, Ash-e-wey."--Kerry Cohen and Michael Hoffman (Ezra’s Mom and Dad)

Faith: We were extremely apprehensive when our daughter, Faith, entered school this year at Victory Academy. The previous year, spent in public school, Faith was ultimately kicked out because her behavior had escalated into daily screaming matches, shoe throwing, and aggression. We don't blame Faith for this; her behavior was a response to what was happening to her at school. The staff’s lack of training and general ineptitude were to blame. Within two short months, the staff at Victory Academy developed an appropriate educational plan for Faith, implemented it, and stuck to it. They were consistent and caring. Our girl emerged once again a sweet, happy, and generally cooperative nine year old. The staff appreciates Faith’s unique gifts and enjoys working with her. When we pick her up from school, Ashley always has something funny or interesting that Faith said or did to share with us. Faith is now a delight at home as well. Our whole family can return to a life as usual once more. Usual is something we will never take for granted again. Our most humble thanks to all the staff and volunteers at Victory Academy--Paula and James Bryant-Trerise (Faith’s Mom and Dad)

Ivan: Our son Ivan had been in two school districts and, as a result of the constant program and staffing changes apparently inherent to Oregon public schools, had gone to no fewer than four different schools by third grade. And the district was getting ready to put him in yet another "even better" program by the time we found Victory Academy. After years of participating in horrible IEP meetings and wasting time with overworked and undertrained educators and therapists, and finding no private schools staffed for Ivan's needs, we despaired of ever finding a team that would be able to provide what we knew from research was the appropriate and effective learning environment for our son. We found exactly that in Victory Academy. Ivan has gone from "surviving" the school day to eagerly anticipating it. He has bonded closely with several of the staff members and feels safe and comfortable with all of them. We had gotten to the point where we wondered if he would ever make academic progress and we hoped that we could at least teach him how to be a part of society without crippling anxiety and frustration. At VA, Ivan has blown everyone away with his blossoming; he is funny, considerate, theatrical, artistic, and has even made tremendous gains in math and reading comprehension--in as little as the first four months of his attendance. VA has not "cured" Ivan of his autism; VA recognizes the way autism works and how it affects Ivan's interface with the world and it has found the formerly elusive key to unlocking Ivan's innate abilities and gifts for truly being a part of the world around him--Rachel and Luke Miller (Ivan’s Mom and Dad)

Juliette: Before Victory Academy, Juliette had very little spontaneous speech. She seemed to not know the power of language or even why you would use it. With pictures or sight words, she could label objects or say rote sentences, but only if someone explicitly taught her the meanings. Year after year, we pleaded with the school to focus on language and social skills. We told them repeatedly that the only language we heard from Juliette was what we taught her or her private speech teachers had taught her. In five years, we saw maybe two or three phrases that came from her learning at school (“time to clear” “I need the glue” “time for recess” ) Five years! Her rate of progress on language, literacy, and social skills was slim to none. At one point, I went to her school and found her staring off not engaged. I began engaging her through song and big movements and she immediately joined in. The special education director and the assistant were amazed. The aid said, “We need Mom here more often. I have been working with her four months and I did not know she could talk or participate.” I felt very ill at this point. We searched desperately for a place that would meet our very bright daughter's learning and language needs, but year after year found nothing. Until we heard about Victory Academy. At Victory Academy, we were welcomed by all staff and other parents. We were treated as if we had something to say (as opposed to being banned from entering unless we gave 24 hour notice). The first time Juliette walked in the classroom, she ran toward a bag of balloons that she saw. Her soon to be teacher (Ashley) stepped in front of her. With some prompting, Juliette said, “Can I have a red balloon please.” That was five minutes into her first visit. It was clear that Juliette would be expected to use language and social skills as opposed to checking out and staring at the ceiling, like at her old school. Here are a few examples of new language we heard since attending Victory: White Pepper (Parmesan cheese), I need a cute boy please (we are still trying to figure out where this came from), Good to see you, and I LOVE SCHOOL--Donna Beegle and Chuck Forbes (Juliette’s Mom and Dad).

Mason: This school year has been one of growth for Mason, in all areas. When Mason started in the fall, he was anxious and uncertain about the change of schools, his new classroom and classmates, and unfamiliar staff. However, within a week Mason’s anxiety was replaced with emerging confidence. From the first day, The Victory Academy set clear expectations for him, and Mason has flourished in this environment. As the weeks and months have gone by, we are continually amazed with his progress. Mason is learning, growing, achieving goals and building upon learned skills. He adores his teachers. He is building relationships with his classmates and is learning from them as well. Every child at the Victory Academy has his or her own special gifts to share, and having spent time with these amazing children is so heartwarming. Not only is Mason learning from his classmates, he has an opportunity to teach them as well. The bonds they are all forming are very special and unique. This is the first school year we have felt fully confident that Mason is receiving everything he needs. Not only is he being taught in the way he learns best, he is surrounded by teachers, professionals and classmates who are all making a tremendous difference in his life. His confidence has improved so much this year, in all areas. It is so rewarding as Mason’s parents to see this growth. We cannot be more grateful for the Victory Academy and its staff. We have so much hope for Mason’s future and we know that this school is the most important element of his academic, therapeutic and social growth. Along with the rest of the families of VA, we have sacrificed a great deal to enroll Mason in this program, and we are committed to supporting VA’s growth--Lisa and Josh Reiter (Mason’s Mom and Dad).

Xander: When Xander began school at Victory Academy at the age of 5, he had only recently begun to put small sentences together, perhaps 3-4 words, and that was with lot of prompting. Even though he had had 8 months of ABA therapy,which helped him greatly, and had previously attended a special-needs school which also helped him, he still was nowhere close to being conversational. He could not tell us the most simple of things: when he was hurt, when he was thirsty or hungry. Things most parents (rightfully so) take for granted, we waited for years to hear. Xander has a relatively unusual dual diagnosis of both ataxic cerebral palsy and autism. Because of this, he has the usual difficulty in doing the things that most autistic children also have issues with, yet he has the added impediment of the cerebral palsy making it especially difficult for him to do things like use his fingers and hands for sign language, hold a pencil, or simply walk in a straight line without zigzagging and running into things. Since being at Victory Academy, Xander has made the most incredible strides we could ever hope for in such a short time. He can now carry on a small conversation. He can pretend-play like his typical peers. He can tell us if he is hurting, thirsty, hungry, sad or happy. We are grateful beyond words to VA and its incredible staff and volunteers. When your child is diagnosed with autism, your world drops out from under you. Victory Academy has helped us, and Xander, find our footing again--Julie and Mike Swenson (Xander’s Mom and Dad)